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Focus on Faith – Westminster Presbyterian Church – Making a Difference in the Lives of Older Adults

Brio Living Services Westminister Presbyterian Church

Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids has a long history of making a difference in the community, going back to its founding by a group of abolitionists before the Civil War.  Its ministries include Camp Henry, the Westminster Child Development Center, and the Downtown Food Pantry.  Westminster was even instrumental in the founding of Alma College!  So it is no surprise that, when members of the church saw a need for enhanced care for older adults, they would do something about it. “Providing a service to the larger community is what motivated our members to create Porter Hills,” says Rev. Dave Baak who served Westminster Presbyterian Church in several roles over the years.  “It’s still a very important relationship.” Over the last fifty+ years since Porter Hills opened in 1970, this relationship has included a Westminster representative on the Porter Hills Board.  In the 1990s, Rev. Dr. William Evertsberg, pastor at Westminster, served on the board and urged the group to do more charitable work, including the idea of affordable living for older adults of limited means.  He felt it was in keeping with the organization’s faith-based mission, and the Board agreed.  In 1997, Porter Hills worked with HUD to create Walker Meadow Retirement Community, the first of Porter Hills’ six HUD 202 rent-subsidized independent living communities for older adults developed in the Grand Rapids area through 2005. More recently, Barbara Goodspeed, President of Westminster’s Trustees and on the staff at Spectrum Health, filled this role on the Board from 2015 to June 2021.  She  served on the search committee when Porter Hills was looking for an affiliate partner. “The faith-based similarities between UMRC and Porter Hills made a huge difference,” says Barbara.  “We felt that UMRC was a really genuine organization and a really fine fit for Porter Hills.  It felt very comfortable.  It was great to find UMRC who shared our values for caring for older adults of a diverse range of income levels, who treasured affordable housing and was committed to PACE.” “As a faith-based organization, we start from the heart,” says Barbara of UMRC & Porter Hills.  “We are a caring, nurturing, care-about-our-community place.  As a volunteer, it makes me feel good about spending my time with UMRC & Porter Hills.” To learn more about UMRC & Porter Hills, including affordable living options, visit our website at https://mybrio.org/affordable-senior-housing-michigan/.

UMRC & Porter Hills Celebrates American Heart Month

Brio Living Services American Heart Month Nurse

February is American Heart Month, which encourages everyone to place a high importance and focus on their cardiovascular health. American Heart Month’s National Wear Red Day® is also today, the first Friday in February, to raise awareness for heart disease, as it’s the leading cause of death in the United States. In efforts to achieve the goal of a heart-healthy lifestyle, UMRC & Porter Hills’ Wellness Champions and team members are encouraged to participate in this month’s wellness event, the Cardio Challenge! Maintaining a healthy heart is important year-round, but in the winter season the significance is much higher with an increase in chronic illnesses as people are less active. Taking care of yourself and focusing on your heart health is necessary to protect yourself from those illnesses. That’s why the 21-day Cardio Challenge was introduced - to get our team members active. There are activities and exercises (and rest days, of course) our team members can participate in to get started with their physical wellness goals. Jessica Finley, Human Resources Benefits and Project Manager for UMRC & Porter Hills, the brains behind this challenge, touches on the goals for our team members. “We’re simply trying to keep them accountable for their goals. We want them to think about what best fits them and their lifestyle. By giving them these resources and a way to record what they’re doing, it gives them that motivation they need to participate in the challenge.” We encourage team members to start making moves today for healthier tomorrows! Click here for American Heart Month resources: Michigan 2022 Reclaim your Rhythm_ Click here for the Cardio Challenge: 21-Day Cardio Challenge What are Wellness Champions? Wellness Champions are team members who volunteer to help make the wellness program a success. They help spread the word to other team members regarding upcoming wellness events, help with the communication, and brainstorm ways to keep team members engaged throughout the year. Ultimately, they are a group of people who have a passion for health and wellness, and truly do make a difference. UMRC & Porter Hills provides team members with the tools and resources to create the wellness balance they need. Team members can find all these resources on their ADP portal. If you have any questions, or would like to become a Wellness Champion, please email JFinley@umrc.com. Interested in a career you’ll love at UMRC & Porter Hills? Learn more at UMRCPHCareers.com.

Saluting our Life Enrichment Team Members During National Activity Professionals Week

Brio Living Services, National Activity Professionals Week Residents Bouncing a Beach Ball

January 23 through 29 is National Activity Professionals Week. At UMRC & Porter Hills, we know how important our Life Enrichment team members are to enhancing the care and well-being of the older adults we serve. It’s not just about physical health – the Five Dimensions of Health and Wellness, adapted from the Pan American Health Organization, include emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health as well. Life Enrichment activities provide opportunities for creative expression, discovering meaning and purpose in our lives, learning new skills, and making friends and building relationships. The National Association of Activity Professionals states, “As an Activity Professional, you are part of a vitally important profession that helps people live a life that is full of fun and meaningful activities…You are the heart and spirit of your communities.” Our residents would agree. Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) resident, Helen Brockmeier, says, “You can be creative no matter the number on your age. UMRC & Porter Hills is a great place to be and to keep looking for your purpose every day.” Activities like trips to the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, exercise and fitness in the McMullen and Martindill Wellness Centers, arts classes and concerts, Bible study, creative writing, and much more, bring joy and meaning for those we serve and promote UMRC & Porter Hills’ mission of “welcoming all, partnering together, enriching lives.” Our Life Enrichment and Recreational Therapy team members, including volunteers, make these activities possible across the organization – from our residential communities to home- and community-based services like PACE (Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly). “I greatly appreciate all the extras that the Life Enrichment teams provide,” says Karen Steinaway Bowen, daughter of CRC resident Kathryn Steinaway. “Mom loves all the special treats and activities, and I love hearing the laughter in her voice when she tells me about all you have done!” “When it comes to the well-being of the older adults we serve, Life Enrichment is truly at the heart of all we do, helping them find their purpose, follow their passions, and live life to the fullest,” says UMRC & Porter Hills President, Wendy Brightman. To learn more about how you can support Life Enrichment programming at UMRC & Porter Hills, visit https://foundation.mybrio.org/ or call 734.433.1000 ext. 7502 (east) or 616.577.2297 (west).

UMRC & Porter Hills' No Scale, New Year

The New Year is a time to reflect, celebrate, and prepare and set goals. That is why this January, UMRC & Porter Hills’ Wellness Champions have encouraged the “No Scale, New Year” challenge for all UMRC & Porter Hills team members. This challenge focuses on promoting sustainable and healthy change, not just basing your goals around a number on a scale.

At UMRC & Porter Hills, wellness is seen as a way to engage team members and encourage them to be the best versions of themselves. Every month, team members may participate in a different wellness theme and activity. Jessica Finley, Human Resources Benefits and Project Manager for UMRC & Porter Hills, gives us insight into wellness and the strides taken to provide team members with all the resources they need to succeed.

“I believe, and research confirms, that a well-balanced life is key - not only work-life balance, but your whole well-being, meaning financial, emotional, and social wellness. All these areas need to be in good balance in order for you to reach your full potential.”

The wellness program at UMRC & Porter Hills focuses on the overall health and well-being of each individual, such as mental health and self-care, financial wellness, and physical wellness. Since 2020, there has also been an increased awareness of mindfulness and gratitude as part of overall wellness. Jessica adds, “No matter what sector of well-being team members participate in, the ultimate goal is to make sure the individual is taking care of themselves and is living their best life possible.”

Wellness Champions are team members who voluntarily sign up to help make the wellness program a success. They help spread the word to other team members regarding upcoming wellness events, help with the communication, and brainstorm ways to keep team members engaged throughout the year. Ultimately, they are a group of people who have a passion for health and wellness, and truly do make a difference.

UMRC & Porter Hills provides team members with the tools and resources to create the wellness balance they need. Team members can find all these resources on their ADP portal. If you have any questions, or would like to become a Wellness Champion, please email Benefits@umrc.com or JFinley@umrc.com.

Interested in a career you’ll love at UMRC & Porter Hills?  Learn more at UMRCPHCareers.com.